If the usa could produce 1 ton of potatoes or 0.5 tons of wheat per worker per year, while ireland could produce 3 tons of potatoes or 2 tons of wheat per worker per year, there can be mutual gains from trade if:
a. the usa specializes in potatoes because of its comparative advantage in producing potatoes.
b. the usa specializes in wheat because of its absolute advantage in producing wheat.
c. the usa specializes in wheat because of its comparative advantage in producing wheat.
d. there can be no mutual gains from trade.

James is an employee in the widget inspection department of xyz systems, a government contractor. james was part of a 3-person inspection team that found a particular batch of widgets did not meet the exacting requirements of the u.s. government. in order to meet the tight deadline and avoid penalties under the contract, james' boss demanded that the batch of widgets be sent in fulfillment of the government contract. when james found out, he went to the vice president of the company and reported the situation. james was demoted by his boss, and no longer works on government projects. james has a: